Know-How Exchange : Taglines/Names

I’m looking for some help with developing a tag line for a new park in our community. It’s called the Myrick Hixon EcoPark. (Myrick and Hixon are founding families of our city and were instrumental in providing the land that the park now sits upon)

The new EcoPark, is a non-profit and is located right in the middle of La Crosse, WI a small city (~52,000) that sits on the banks of the Mississippi. It includes 800 acres of forest and bluffland, 1100 acre marsh, and 20+ miles of trails. We have just completed the construction of a beautiful $2 million building that will be filled with interactive exhibits, lab area for kids and adults, educational programs, aquariums, gift shop, and live animal exhibits. In addition we are developing a small (4/5 acre) wildlife viewing trail that will house captive local species like wolf, river otter, black bear etc, and there are also plans for a children’s play garden and barnyard petting zoo. (I know it’s a unique mix)

When taking in the view from the new building you cannot believe that you are actually standing in the middle of a small city. The views of marsh and bluffs are spectacular. It’s truly a wonderful escape in the middle of our city.

The Myrick Hixon EcoPark will be a place for:
1)Fun, family oriented outdoor experiences
2)Community collaboration and discussion around subjects of the environment
3)Connecting personally with regional habitats
4)Discovering tangible connection between wild animals and us
5)Studying ecosystems at various scales, from floodplain marsh to Mississippi River Basin
6) Engaging adults and youth in environmental research
7)Conservation programs that inspire action
8)Modeling sustainable practices

Myrick Hixon EcoPark will distinguish itself by:
1) Being a community hub for environmental education and recreation
2) Integrating visitor experiences among live native animals, exhibits and nearby natural resources 3)Generating awareness of the regions natural features and their ecosystem functions
4)Respecting both ecosystem preservation and economic development
5)Improving the quality of life for residents in the region through recreation and education

Currently our core audiences are:
School aged children, especially 1st -3rd Grade
Families with children 5-10 years old
Summer camp students 4-10 years
Retired baby boomers
Members of a variety of affinity groups involved in environmental education and outdoor recreation.

If concept is executed correctly I believe we will draw visitors from a 250 mile radius of La Crosse, which would include metropolitan areas such as Minneapolis/St.Paul, Madison WI, Milwauke WI, and Chicago IL.

I’m looking for a tag line that can 1) explain what our EcoPark concept is while simultaneously selling its benefits.

Some tag lines that some of our project group members have identified:

a. Gateway to Nature
b. Experiencing Nature And It’s Creatures
c. Natural Surroundings And The Creatures That Live There
d. A Natural Destination
e. Real Nature, Real Critters, Real Fun
f. Trails, Trees, and Critters

Thanks for your help!